Q. I have recently bought a Victorian terraced house and the surveyors report said that the cellar floor in one of the rooms had "crowned". Please could you tell me what this means and is it easy to fix?

Submitted by: DEP
 

A. Thank you for your question.

We assume that by using the term 'Crowned' your surveyor probably means that the floor is higher in the centre than it is around the edges - rather like a dome. It is important that you ask your surveyor why this has occurred. Has the cellar ever flooded? If it has then floatation of the floor might have happened due to the pressure of water beneath. The water will subside but the uplifted floor will remain in place. It could be 'heave' caused by cutting down nearby trees or perhaps interference with the water table as a result of adjacent building works. It could just be a poorly constructed floor - there are many possible reasons.

It is almost certain that the only way to repair it would be to break up the floor and have it relayed correctly at which time a damp proof membrane would be incorporated into it. We assume this when you refer to ‘damp course’ in the second part of your question you actually mean a damp proof membrane. If the floor does not have to be broken up then there are available two part epoxy surface damp proof membranes that are applied onto the surface.

It is impossible to give any guidance on cost. Size, access, where in the country you are etc. all come into this. Your surveyor should know builders who would be able to provide a quote.

Hope this is of some use to you.